The eighth National Olive and Oil Convention concluded

Hosted by the Department of Agriculture of the Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, the event proved to be a meeting point and a catalyst for research, technology, and innovation in the olive oil and olive oil supply chain.

The eighth national conference on olives and olive oil concluded with technical field visits. The conference, hosted by the Department of Agriculture of the Università degli Studi Mediterranea, serves as a hub for research, technology, and innovation in the olive oil and olive oil supply chain. Ideas, proposals, and insights—in an interactive and networking spirit—enlivened the three-day event in Reggio Calabria, promoted by the "Olive and Olive Oil" Working Group of the Italian Horticultural Society (SOI), and organized in collaboration with the Department itself and CREA (Research Center for Olive, Fruit, and Citrus Growing). 

A highly qualified and cross-disciplinary discussion between the supply chain, the university, and professionals, in the knowledge that synergies and shared energy contribute to modernizing the sector to better meet innovative challenges and keep pace with the times. 

And to give a highly topical edge to the first two days of scientific sessions, there was also a mention of the current concern: the "Xylella fastidiosa" bacterium, which has led to the eradication of several olive trees in Calabria. 

In this regard, Fulvia Michela Caligiuri, Director General of Arsac (General Agency for the Development of Calabrian Agriculture), reassured everyone that the Region would promptly intervene to eradicate the infected plants and surrounding areas to halt the spread of the bacterium. This commitment by the Calabria Region was unanimously shared by the participants in the debate. 

Rector Giuseppe Zimbalatti emphasized the importance of the discussion, describing it as a great opportunity. " Researchers, technicians, professionals, and industry operators gathered at our University to share and map out the virtuous paths that elevate the sector. Discussing modern technologies, scientific research, and experiments to support the competitiveness and sustainability of the supply chain means opening the doors to a future that, with passion and expertise, can be shaped ever better, and, above all, together. But the opportunity, " Rector Zimbalatti reiterated, " was also to showcase the strength of our province, which is growing significantly in terms of product quality ." 

The Director of the Department of Agriculture, Professor Marco Poiana, expressed great satisfaction with the choice of venue and pride in hosting this prestigious national conference. " It was an important opportunity for researchers, technicians, professionals, and industry operators to engage in dialogue. Our goal has been achieved: to promote the widest possible dissemination of the latest scientific and technological innovations, offering concrete tools to support the competitiveness and sustainability of the entire olive oil production chain ." Director Poiana added: " This is also a moment in which the Department of Agriculture is able to showcase its significant expertise and the productive work of its research groups in the field and in the laboratories. Research never ends. The Calabria region has significantly raised the quality of its production, but further steps must be taken to enhance, above all, the interaction between olive growing and the local area, while keeping in mind the qualitative characteristics of the resulting produce ." 

Among the most significant attendees on the Strait was Riccardo Gucci, president of the National Academy of Olive and Olive Oil, who reiterated: " The olive and olive oil sector currently offers very interesting prospects. Italian research is very advanced and internationally recognized, but obviously—if we consider, for example, climate change—the challenges are ongoing and are linked to new technologies. Reggio," Riccardo Gucci acknowledged, "is a very active university location, and the situation and prospects for Calabrian olive growing are extremely interesting, also from a climate perspective. Therefore, we must have faith and continue to work ." 

The scientific sessions were characterized by a wide range of contributions and topics, from genetic improvement and sustainability in the face of climate change, to precision agriculture, mechanization, plant protection, quality and traceability of oil, the circular economy, and production valorization. 

These are crucial issues for the future of the sector and for our quality of life, which the Department of Agriculture at the Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria has relaunched by creating a national dialogue platform focused on research and innovation.